Actuator for a dry pipe sprinkler system



y 1933- w. s. GRIFFITH 1,909,490

ACTUATOR FOR A DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed March 12, 1931 FIG/.1. 3739 E W T [4:5

,6 6 :8 J8 "7w 1 25 m /s 3 32 A3 46 6 P826 33 r 34 5 2 23 1 3 fnvenforsPatented May 16, 1933 TATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM B. GRIFFITH, OFAUDUBON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNQR TO STAR SPRINKLER CORPORATION, OFPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF [NEW JERSEY ACTUATOR FOR ADRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM Application filed March 12, 1931.

My invention relates to an actuator, or exhauster, for sprinkler systemsof the automatic dry pipe type, arranged to be connected withdistributing pipe of the sprinkler system, such as used for theconnection of sprinkler heads, and is arranged to be operated by asudden increase in temperature upon the occurrence of a fire;

The object of my invention is to provide a device which will actuateupon the occurrence of a fire before the sprinkler heads are actuated,for the purpose of giving an alarm, thus permitting the use of manuallyoperated fire apparatus for extinguishing the fire and avoiding theconsequent damage from the discharge of water from the sprinklers; afurther object of my invention is to provide llll-lCtlllllOl forexhausting the air pressure from the sprinkler system, thus opening thedry pipe valve and filling the system with water, in place of the air,before the fusing of the sprinkler heads; a further object is to providea device which may be positioned in a portion of the building where afire may take place so that the increase of temperature in the room dueto the fire will cause differential air pressures within the actuator,which will open an exhaust valvelocated in the actuator, therebyallowing the air pressure from the sprinkler system to be reduced andtrip the dry pipe valve, and operate a fire alarm, such as is usuallyassociated with a dry pipe valve and operated to give an alarm when thedry pipe valve opens; a further object is to arrange the exhaust valvewithin the actuator so that it will automatically close when the airpressure has been exhausted from the system and the pressures equalizedwithin the actuator, and the water takes the place of the air, wherebythe closing of the exhaust valve will prevent the water from escapingthrough the actuator, with the possibility of damage to goods, ormachinery, located in the immediate vicinity of the actuator; a stillfurther object is to provide Serial No. 521,944.

an actuator having a pressure chamber and a pressure retaining chamber,the latter being formed of relatively thinner material than thestructure forming the pressure chamber, whereby an increase intemperature of the external air adjacent to the actuator will cause adifferential pressure within the actuator and operate the same; a stillfurther object of my invent-ion is to provide the actuator with a pipeof thin metal in the form of a coil, which forms a large pressureretaining chamber associated with the actuator. Said coil being soformed that it will occupy a small space and will also permit theactuator to be placed close to the ceiling of a building. These togetherwith various other novel features of construction and arrangements ofthe parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed,constitute my invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a vertical sectionalview of my improved actuator; and Fig. 2 is a plan View of Fig. 1.

In the accompanying drawing in which like reference characters refer tolike parts, 5 represents a casing having relatively thick walls, withinwhich is formed the pressure chamber 6. One wall of the casing forms adetachable cover 8, which is provided with an enlarged receptacle havingan opening presented towards the pressure chamber 6 and forms a pressureretaining chamber 12, which is separated from the chamber 6 by a movablemember or diaphragm 13, secured upon the wall 8 by a guard plate 14 andfastening devices 15. The receptacle 10 is pro: vided with conical walls16 positioned to form a stop for limiting the upward movement of thediaphragm 13, and said guard plate 14 limits the downward movement ofthe diaphragm.

The casing 5 is provided with a pipe connection 20 to which may beconnected a pipe 21, forming one of the distributing pipes of a dry pipesprinkler system, which system may be of any well known type. The casing55 is provided with an exhaust port 22 having a valve seat 23 formedthereon, on which is arranged to seat a valve 25, carried by a lever 26,pivotally mounted on a pin 27, which in turn is mounted upon a bearing28, secured in a fixed position relatively to the casing 5. The casingis also provided with a removable plug 30, having an inwardly projectingguide post 31 around which loosely fits one end of a tube 33, having itsopposite end mounted upon the diaphragm 13. A head 35 is located uponthe upper side of the diaphragm and is provided with a threaded portion36 extending through the center of the diaphragm on which the tube 33 issecured. A collar 32 is secured upon the tube 33 and is arranged toengage one end of the lever 26 for moving the valve away from the valveseat 23 when the diaphragm and the tube are depressed. A spring 34: islocated between the plug and the collar 32 for supporting the weight ofthe tube 33 and the parts associated therewith, thus holding the collar32 in a normal position, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the weight of thevalve 25 will cause the same to normally rest upon the seat 23 and closethe exhaust port 22.

The wall or cover 8 is provided with a hollow portion 37 whichcommunicates with the retaining chamber 12 of the receptacle 10. Saidportion 37 of the receptacle forms a fitting, or pipe connection 38, towhich is attached an extension or pipe 39. Said pipe may be ofsuflicient length to form a retain- :ing chamber of large capacity. Thepipe 39 is arranged in the term of a coil so that it will occupy a smallspace and the coil is positioned in spaced relation to the casing sothat the external air will have free access to the coil.

The extension pipe or coil 39 is formed of relatively thin metal. havinga large surface area exposed to the outer atmosphere whereby changes inthe temperature in the surrounding atmosphere will be readily conductedthrough the walls of the pipe 39 to the air confined within the pipe andthe receptacle 10 and increase the pressure within the latter.

The heat which is secured upon the dia phragm is provided with apassageway 40, which is reduced to a very small size by means of anipple 41, thus forming a restricted passageway between the pressurechamber 6 and the retaining chamber 12 through which the pressure mayslowly equalize without mov ing the diaphragm. The tube 33 its looselyabout the guide post 31, thus forming a free passageway for the airthrough the tube 33. The upper end of the nipple 41 is surrounded by aperforated strainer 44, which is secured upon the head 35, and maycontain filtering material.

A float 46 is located within the tube 33 in which it fits loosely andnormally rests upon the top of the post 31. Said float is provided forclosing the entrance to the passageway l0 when the chamber 6 is filledwith water which lifts the float against the part 36 01 the head inwhich the passageway is formed, thus preventing water from entering thereceptacle located above the diaphragm 13.

The operation of my device is as follows: itiir under pressure isadmitted to the chamber 6 of the actuator through the tube 21 0011-nected with the sprinkler system above the dry pipe valve. Air underpressure is main tai within the system including the dis- .a pipes 21where the sprinkler heads and the actuator are located.

The air prei sure will pass from the chamher 6 through the tube 33 andthe restricted pas geway formed in the nipple 41, to the ret mingchamber 12, thus allowing the pressure to equalize in the chamber 6 andin the retaining chamber 12. The diaphragm and the movable parts willassume the position shown in Fig. 1, when the pressures are equal thusallowing the valve 25 to be normally po sitioned upon its seat forclosing the exhaust port 22. The actuator is located as closely aspossible to the ceiling line of the room in which the actuator islocated, so that upon the event of a tire taking place within the roomthe increase of temperature due to the fire will be conducted throughthe relatively thin walls or" the extension, or pipe 39, thus increasingthe pressure of the air in the pipe and in the retaining chamber 12.This sudden increase of the pressure in the chamber 12 will cause thediaphragm to be flexed downwardly against the guide plate 14., Thediaphragm forces the tube 33 downwardly so that the collar 32 will takeagainst the lever 26 and open the valve 25 so that the air pressure fromthe chamber 6 may be exhausted and also the air pressure from thesprinkler system may be exhausted through the pipe 21 and t 1e chamber6, and the exhaust port 22. The reduction in the air pressure from thesprinkler system will trip the dry pipe valve and the latter willactuate the fire alarm as-- soeiated with the dry pipe valve. Thedistributing pipes 21 ot' the sprinkler system will be lilled with waterwhen too air pressure is exhausted through the actuator so that thewater will be immediately sup 'ilied to any sprinkler head should thefire cause the opening of the same.

My improved actuator is adapted to be used for gi ving a lire a arm.instead of op rating a sprinkler head whereby great damage might becaused by water from the sprinkler head. Should the lire get beyondcontrol other sprinkler heads will be used and opened, thus distributingwater in the usual manner. However the preaction of the actuator soundsan alarm and also causes the system to be filled with water instead ofair, for the immediate distribution of water when the springler headsare opened.

I claim 1. An exhaust-er for a dry pipe fire extin guishing, system desined to be located in a zone to be protected from fire and responsive torapid increase of temperature in said zone, said device comprising acasing forming a pressure chamber, a pipe connection upon the casingarranged to admit air under pressure from the sprinkler system, saidcasing having an opening formed in one wall thereof, a receptacle havingan opening formed in one wall thereof, a movable member positionedbetween the casing and the receptacle arranged. for sealing saidopenings, means forming a restricted passageway between the casing andthe receptacle through which the pressures may slowly equalize, saidcasing comprising a thick wall structure for insulating said pressurechamber against sudden changes of external temperature in said zone,said receptacle comprising a'relatively thinner structure than saidcasing through which heat will be readily conducted whereby a suddenincrease in the external temperature within said zone will cause apreponderance of air pressure in the receptacle and move the diaphragm,said casing having an exhaust port formed therein, a valve positionedupon said port for normally closing the same, and means operativelyassociated with said member and the valve for opening said port whensaid member is moved by a preponderance of pressure in the receptacle.

2. An exhauster for a dry pipe fire extinguishing system designed to belocated in a zone to be protected from fire and responsive to rapidincrease of temperature in said zone, said device comprising a casingforming a pressure chamber, a pipe connection upon the casing arrangedto admit air under pressure from the sprinkler system, said casinghaving an opening formed in one wall thereof, a receptacle having anopening formed in one wall thereof, afiexible diaphragm positionedbetween the casing and the receptacle arranged for sealing said openings, means forming a restricted passageway between the casing and thereceptacle through which the pressures may slowly equalize, an extensionupon said'receptacle forming an enlarged pressure retaining chamberlocated within said zone and in communication with said receptacle, saidextension constructed of relatively thinner material than the casingwhereby asudden increase in the external temperature with in said zonewill cause a sudden increase of pressure within the receptacle and movethe diaphragm, said casing having an exhaust port formed therein, avalve positioned upon said port for normally closing the same, and meansoperatively associated with the diaphragm and the valve for opening saidport when the diaphragm is moved by a preponderance of pressure in thereceptacle.

8. An exhauster for a dry pipe fire extinguishing system designed to belocated in a zone to be protected from fire and responsive to rapidincrease of temperature in said zone, said device comprising a casingforming a pressure chamber, a pipe connection upon the casing arrangedto admit air under pressure from the sprinkler system, said casinghaving an opening formed in one wall thereof, a receptacle having anopening formed in one wall thereof, a flexible diaphragm positionedbetween the casing and the receptacle arranged for sealing saidopenings, means forming a restricted passageway between the casing andthe receptacle through which the pressures slowly equalize, a relativelylarge extension pipe attached to the receptacle forming an enlargedpressure retaining ehamber located within said zone, said pipeconstructed of a relatively thinner wall than the walls forming saidcasing for freely conducting heat from the atmosphere within said zoneto the air within the pipe for moving the diaphragm by a sudden increaseof pressure within the pipe and the receptacle, said casing having anexhaust port formed therein, a valve positioned upon said port fornormally closing the same, and means operatively associated with thediaphragm and the valve for opening said port when the diaphragm ismoved by a preponderance of pressure in the receptacle.

4:. An exhauster for a dry pipe fire extinguishing system designed to belocated in a zone to be protected from lire and responsive to rapidincrease of temperature in said zone, said device, comprising a casingforming a pressure chamber, a pipe connection upon the casing arrangedto admit air under pressure from the sprinkler system, said casinghaving an opening formed in one wall thereof, a receptacle having anopening formed in one wall thereof, a flexible diaphragm positionedbetween the casing and the receptacle arranged for sealing saidopenings, means forming a restricted passageway between the casing andthe receptacle through which the pressures may slowly equalize, arelatively large extension pipe having a relatively thinner wall thanthe walls forming said casing, said pip-e attached to the receptacle andarranged. to form an enlarged chamber in communication with thereceptacle, said pipe arranged in a. coil to present a large surfacearea to the atmosphere within said zone whereby a sudden increase intemperature of the atmosphere within said zone will be conducted to theair within the pipe and increase the pressure therein and move thediaphragm, said casing having an exhaust port formed therein, a valvepositioned upon said port for normally closing the same, and meansoperatively associated with the diaphragm and the valve for opening saidport when the diaphragm is moved by a preponderance of pressure in thereceptacle.

5. An exhaust-er for a dry pipe fire extinguishing system designed to belocated in a zone to be protected from fire and responsive to rapidincrease of temperature in said zone, said device comprising a casingforming a pressin'e chamber, a pipe connection upon the casing arrangedto be connected with the sprinkler system for admitting air underpressure to said chamber, a cover wall having an enlarged portionforming an air receptacle with the open face thereof presented towardsthe chamber Within the casing, a flexible diaphragm mounted between thecover wall and said casing arranged for separating said receptacle fromsaid chamber, means forming a restricted passageway between thereceptacle and the chamber formed within the casing, a relatively largeextension pipe connected with the enlarged portion of said cover wallforming an extension chamber in communication with said receptacle, saidpipe formed of relatively thinner metal than said casing, said pipecoiled to surround the peripheral portion of the casing having a largesurface area exposed to the atmospl'rere within said zone, said coillocated in a plane extending parallel with the plane in which the coverwall. is located, said casing having an exhaust port formed therein, avalve positioned upon said port for normally closing the same, and meansoperatively associated with the diaphragm and said valve for moving thevalve away from said port when the diaphragm is moved by a preponderanceof pressure within said receptacle.

6. An exhauster for a dry pipe fire extinguishing system designed to belocated in a zone to be protected from fire and responsive to rapidincrease of temperature in said zone, said device comprising a casingforming apressure chamber, a pipe connection upon the casing arranged toadmit air under pressure from the sprinkler system, said casing havingan opening formed in one wall thereof, a diaphragm positioned upon saidwall ar ranged for sealing said opening, a receptacle upon said wallforming a chamber located upon the opposite side of said. diaphragm,said receptacle having a relatively thinner wall than said casing, atube located within the pressure chamber formed in the casing, a headupon the diaphragm to which one end of said tube is secured, said headhaving a re stricted aperture formed through the same forming acommunication between said tube and the receptacle upon the oppositeside of the diaphragm through which the pressure may slowly equalize, aguide post upon the casing embraced by the opposite end of the tube uponwhich the tube is slidably mounted, said casing having an exhaust portformed thcrem, a valve mounted upon the casing arranged to close saidport, and means operatively associated with the tube and the I valve foropening the valve when the (lid phragm and the tube are moved by apreponderance of pressure in the receptacle relatively to the pressurein the pressure chamher.

7. An exhauster for a dry pipe fire extinguishin g system designed to belocated in a zone to be protected from fire and responsive to rapidincrease of temperature in said zone,

said device comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber, a pipeconnection upon the casing arranged to admit air under pressure from thesprinkler system, said casing having an opening formed in one wallthereof, a diaphragm positioned upon said wall arranged for sealing saidopening, a receptacle upon said wall having an open face presented tothe diaphragm, said receptacle having a relatively thinner wall thansaid casing, a tube located within the chamber formed in the casing,said tube mounted upon the dia phragm and movable therewith, said tubehaving a restricted aperture formed through the same forming acommunication between said tube and the receptacle located upon theopposite side of the diaphragm through which aperture the pressure mayslowly equalize, said casing having an exhaust port formed therein, avalve mounted upon the easing within said chamber arranged for normallyclosing the exhaust port, a lever upon which said valve is mounted abearing upon the casing in which the lever is pivoted, and a collarsecured upon said tube arranged to engage the lever and move the valveto open said port when the diaphragm is moved by a preponderance ofpressure within said receptacle.

8. An exhauster for a dry pipe fire extingnishing system designed to belocated in a zone to be protected from fire and responsive to rapidincrease of temperature in said zone, said device comprising a casingforming a pressure chamber, a pipe connection upon the casing arrangedto admit air under pressure from the sprinkler system, said casinghaving an opening formed in one wall thereof, a diaphragm positionedupon said Wall arranged for sealing said opening, a receptacle upon saidwall having an open face presented to the diaphragi'n, said receptaclehaving a relatively thinner wall than said casing, a tube located withinthe chamber formed in the casing, said tube mounted upon the diaphragmand movable therewith, said. tube having a restricted aperture formedthrough the forming a communication between said tube and the receptaclelocated upon the opposite side of the diaphragm through which aperturethe pressures in the receptacle and in the casing may slowly equalize,said casing having an exhaust port formed therein, a valve mounted uponthe casing within said chamber arranged for normally closing the exhaustport, means operatively associated with the tube and the valve arrangedto move the valve and open said port when the diaphragm is moved by apreponderance of pressure within said receptacle, and a spring locatedwithin said chamber between the casing and the diaphragm tending toretard the movement of the latter toward valve opening position.

9. An exhauster for a dry pipe fire extinguishing system designed to belocated in a zone to be protected from fire and responsive to rapidincrease of temperature in said zone, said device comprising a casingforming a pressure chamber, a pipe connection upon the casing arrangedto admit air pressure from the sprinkler system, said casing having anopening formed in one wall thereof, said casing having an enlargedportion forming a receptacle, a diaphragm p0- sitioned between thecasing and the receptacle by which the latter is separated from thechamber within the casing, said portion of the casing forming saidreceptacle having a relatively thinner wall than the wall "forming saidpressure chamber, a tube located within the chamber of the casing, ahead arranged for attaching the upper end of the tube to the diaphragm,said head having a restricted aperture formed therein through which thepressures in the receptacle and in the chamber may slowly equalize, afloat located within the tube arranged to close said passageway in thehead when the air in the casing is displaced by a liquid, said casinghaving an exhaust port formed therein, a valve positioned upon said portfor normally closing the same, and means operatively associated with thevalve and the tube for opening the valve when the diaphragm is moved bya preponderance of pressure in said receptacle relatively to thepressure in said chamber.

10. An exhauster for a dry pipe fire extinguishing system designed to belocated in a zone to be protected from fire and responsive to rapidincrease of temperature in said zone, said device, comprising a casingforming a pressure chamber, a pipe connection upon the casing arrangedto admit air under pressure from the sprinkler system, said casinghaving an opening formed in one wall thereof, a receptacle having anopening formed therein located upon said wall, a movable memberpositioned between the casing and the receptacle arranged for sealingsaid openings, means forming a restricted passageway between the casingand the receptacle through which the pressures may slowly equalize, saidreceptacle including a pipe of relatively thinner structure than saidcasing, said pipe formed into a

